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Title:
METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SECURING A BOOT OR SHOE TO A WAKEBOARD OR THE LIKE
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/2015/031959
Kind Code:
A1
Abstract:
An apparatus for securing and releasing a rider's boots to a piece of leisure or sporting equipment, such as a wakeboard or a snowboard or the like (1), includes a mount (3) which locates between the board (1) and the user's boots, and defines a volume (4) in which there is a reduced pressure/partial vacuum for securing the rider's boots and board together. The apparatus includes means for releasing the connection between the boots and board when the reduced pressure exceeds a particular value. The apparatus includes a pump (13b), venturi pump (13a) or other means for creating and/or maintaining the reduced pressure in the volume which is operated by the natural movement of the rider or board itself when using the board.

Inventors:
HANSEN DANE ANDREW (AU)
CAUSBY ANDREW DAVID (AU)
THOMPSON DOUGLAS JAMES OWEN (AU)
Application Number:
PCT/AU2014/050214
Publication Date:
March 12, 2015
Filing Date:
September 05, 2014
Export Citation:
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Assignee:
LB WIRE ROPES PTY LTD (AU)
International Classes:
A63C10/12; A63C9/08; B63B35/85
Domestic Patent References:
WO2009098716A22009-08-13
Foreign References:
US3645552A1972-02-29
DE2759179A11979-07-05
FR2653347A11991-04-26
US5727338A1998-03-17
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
FB RICE (44 Market StSydney, New South Wales 2000, AU)
Download PDF:
Claims:
CLAIMS:

1. A method and/or .apparatus for .connecting a rider's foot or feet with an item of sportin or leisure equipment, using a pressure difference over atmospheric pressure such as reduced pressure, or positive pressure, in which the natural movement of the rider on the equipment or the equipment itself is used to maintain, the pressure differential and hence the attachment of the rider's feet to the equipment.

2. An apparatus .as claimed in claim I, for securing and releasing a rider's boots to a hoard or the like, such as a wakeboard or a snowboard, includin mount which locates between the board and the riders boots, and defines a volume i which there is a reduced pressure/partial vacuum for securing the rider's boots and board together, and including means for releasing the connection between the boots and the board when the reduced pressure exceeds a particular- value, and including a pump or other means for creating and/or maintaining the reduced pressure in the volume which is operated by th natural movement of the rider or board when using the board.

3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein the particular value at which the partial vacuum is released is adjustable.

4 An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims .2 to 3 wherei each, of the rider's boots is connected to the board using reduced pressure in a chamber, and the two chambers are connected for equalising the pressure/vacuum in the two chambers,

5. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 4 wherein the mount includes a frame which is fixed to the board,

6. An apparatus as claimed in claim 5 wherein a flexible seal extends around the perimeter of the mount for sealing around the perimeter of the underside of the boot.

7. An apparatus as claimed in claim 6 wherein the seal defines one or more ports.

8. An apparatus as claimed in. any one o claims 2 to 7 including one or more release valves for releasing the partial vacuum.

9. An apparatus as claimed, in claim 8 wherein the release valve is operated manually

10. An apparatus as claimed in claim 8 wherein the release valve operates when the vacuum reaches a pre- set value.

11 An apparatus .as claimed in an one of claims 2 to 10 including an indicator which show the pressure to give an indication of insufficient vacuum.

12 An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 10 wherein the mount includes a separate chamber which acts as a reservoir of reduced pressure.

13. An apparatus as claimed in claim 12 wherein the separate chamber is located under the rider's heel, in use.

14. An apparatus as claimed in claim 12 or 13 wherein the separate chamber contains a pump in the form of compressible foam block and is connected to atmosphere by a one way valve which allows the egress of air from the vacuum chamber to atmosphere.

.15. An apparatus as claimed in claim 14 wherein the separate chamber is connected to another part of the mount by a further one way valve which allows gas/atr to travel into the chamber only.

16. An apparatu as claimed in and one of claims 14 to 15 wherein the underside of the rider's boot defines depending ting under the heel of the boot which in use, when placed on the mount and depressed compresses the perimeter of the foam block.

17. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 16 wherein the mount forms a part of the rider's boot or shoe.

1.8. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 16 wherein die mount is fixed to the hoard.

19, A wakeboard or snowboard or other item of sporting equipment including an apparatus a claimed in any one of claims 2 to 18. 20, A method of securing a rider's feet to a board or the like using reduced pressure and an apparatus as claimed in an one of claims 2 to 18 wherein the reduced pressure is maintained by the natural movement of the rider or board when the board is in use

Description:
"Method and apparatus for securing a boot or shoe to a wakeboard or the like" Cross-Reference to Related Applications

[0001 j The present application claims priority from Australian Provisional Patent Application No 2013903403 filed, on 5 September 2 1 . the content of which is incotporated herein by reference.

Technical Field

[0002] This invention relates to a method of, and apparatus for, securing a pair of boots or shoes, to an item of sporting or leisure equipment such as a wakeboard, snowboard, or fire like, and for simultaneous release of those boots/shoes from the equipment.

Background

[0003] In wakeboarding, riders are pulled along behind a motorboat, in a similar fashion to water skiers. However, in wakeboarding, riders jump the boat's wake afid perform manoeuvres while airborne. Because of this, injuries are common, with ACL knee injuries being particularly common, as well as head injuries and concussion,

[0004] It is known to provide release mechanisms for wakeboards and snowboards.

However these suffer from a number of deficiencies, in some cases the proposed solutions provide limited control or adjustment of the force at which the rider's foot is released. Some devices, such as that disclosed in .PCT/US2011/061995, release if the rider's boot is being pulled away from the board's surface under tension, but do not release under shear or torsion loads which are equally hazardous for the rider.

[0005] Most proposed mechanisms require particular features to be built into the board to function and therefore are not suited to retrofitting to existing boards. Wakeboards in particular are relatively simple products which can. last for up to ten years so an improved securing mechanism ideally should be suitable for retro-fitting. [000ό] Many proposed mechanism are also complex, and may be subject to fouling by weed or sand in the case of wakeboards or subject to damage when the rider walks around with the board, hi the ease of snowboards, ice and snow can foul release mechanisms.

[0007] Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles or the like which has been included in the present specification is not to be taken as an admission that any or all. of these matters form part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field rele vant to the present disclosure as it existed before the priority date- of each claim of th is application,

Siuwniar

[0008] in general, the present invention provides a method and/or apparatus for attaching a rider's foot or feet to an item of sporting or leisure equipment, using reduced pressure, or positive pressure, in which the natural movement of the rider on the equipment, or the equipment itself, is sed to maintain the pressure differential, and hence the attachment of feet to equipment.

[0009] More particularly, the present invention provides an apparatus for securing and releasing a rider's boots to a board or the like, such as a wakeboard or a snowboard, including a mount which locates between the board and .the riders boots, and defines- a volume in which there is a reduced pressure/partial vacuum for securing the rider's boots and board together and including means for releasing the connection when, the reduced pressure exceeds a particular value, and including a pump or other means for creating and/or maintaining the reduced pressure in the volume which is operated by the atural movement of the rider when using the board.

[00 0] The value will typically be adjustable and set by the rider depending on the circumstances. Ill this manner, a system can be provided which is safe and convenient for the use of the equipment, in which the user's feet, are connected, to the equipment during norma.! use but which are released if the forces exceed a predetermined, and adjustable threshold.

[001.1 ] Typically the release force is set by a pressure regulator that prevent the pressure exceeding a user set adjustable value. [00121 Typically* each of the rider's boots will be connected to the board using a partial vacuum and the two volumes will be connected by a tube/hose for equalising the

pressure/vacuum in the two volumes.

[0013] Advantageously this feature provides tor a linked system in which the user may be completel separated from their equipment and both attachment points (i.e. both of the users feet) are separated simultaneously. This can be reliably done in a consistent and controllable manner.

[001.4] Multiple chambers may be provided for each mount.

[0015] In particular, the mount may include a separate "vacuum" chamber which acts as a reservoir of reduced pressure.

[0016] The vacuum chamber may be located under the rider's heel in use.

[0017] The vacuum chamber may contain a pump in the form of a compressible foam block and may be connected to atmosphere by a one way valve which allows the egress of air from the vacuum chamber to atmosphere.

[0018] The vacuum chamber may be connec ted to another part of the mount which in use is under the front part of the rider s foot by a further one way valve which allows gas air to travel into the chamber only. Hence gas is removed from the front of the mount into the chamber before being expelled t atmosphere as the foam block is compressed and expanded.

[0019] The riders boot may define depending ring under the heel of the boot which in use, when placed on the mount and depressed compresses the perimeter of the foam block.

[Ώ02Ο3 The mount may be a part of the rider's boot or shoe. Alternatively, it may be fixed to the board,

[0021 ] The mount may include a frame which is. mounted to the board. A plate may be fi ed to the boot of the rider, [00221 A flexible seal may extend ground the perimeter of the. mount for sealin around the perimeter of the plate.

[0023] in one embodiment, the seal, may define one or more ports.

[0024] The system may include valves for releasing the vacuum. The valve may operate manually or may operate when the vacuum reaches a pre-set value,

[00251 higher vacuum may be used for maintaining the connection, with the minimum connecting strength controlled by a valve.

[0026] Advantageously, the system includes an indicator to show the amount of vacuum which may give an indication of insufficient vacuum

[0027] The system may include pumps for creating or maintaining the partial vacuum and may include separate vacuum storage means.. Advantageou ly, the system may include an integrated pump operated by the rider's kinetic energy.

[0028] Advantageously, the present invention may provide an inexpensive, lightweight reliable mounting that controls the loads transmitted between a rider's hoard and boots and which may decrease the severity of any injuries to the rider and damage to equipment by controlling the release of the rider from the hoard, if the force increase beyond a predetermined threshold value whic can be set/adjusted by the rider.

[0029] Advantageously, the inventio enables the release force to be controlled by limiting the reduced pressure caused by the partial vacuum.

[0030] The system may be retrofitted to existing boards and the rider can walk normally on their boots when not attached to the board.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0031 ] Specific embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, and. with reference to the accompanying drawings in which;- Figure 1 is a schematic to plan view of a wakeboard according to a first embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 is a schematic side view illustratin the connection/mounting of one boot to the wakeboard of Figure 1 ,

Figures 3a to 3c schematically illustrate the effect of different loads and forces on the seal/connection;

Figures 4a to 4d illustrate the opening and closing of ports in a seal, of the mount; Figure 5 is a schematic top plan view of second embodiment of the invention; and Figure 6 i a schematic top plan view of a third embodiment of the invention

Figure 7a is a schematic view illustrating a further embodiment of the invention incorporating a venturi;

Figure 7b is s section illustrating the venturi pump integrated into the wakeboard. Figure 8 illustrates a further embodiment of the invention incorporating a foot operated vacuum pump;

Figures 9a to 9c illustrate various pneumatic circuits for the wakeboards;

Figure 10 is an isometric view of a -further embodiment of a wakeboard boot and mount from above and one side;

Figure 11 i a front view of the embodiment shown in Figure 10;

Figure 12 is a side view of the embodiment shown in Figure 10;

Figure .13a shows a cross-section through the embodiment of Figure 11 along lines ΧΙΙ1-ΧΠΙ;

Figure 13b shows a further cross-section through the embodiment of Figure 10;

Figure 14 is a isometric view showing the mount only;

Figure 15 shows a longitudinal cross-section through the mount;

Figure 16 shows a lateral cross- sectio through the mount;

Figure 17 shows an isometric vie w of the boot only; and

Figure 1 § is a plan view of the underside (sole) of the boot.

Description of Embodiments

[0032] Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 shows a wakeboard 1 to which is attached a mount in the form of a pad 3 on which a boot 2 locates. One mount 3 is provided for a rider's left foot and one for their right foot.

[0033] As is best seen in Figure 2, the mount 3 defines a perimeter wail or frame 18 (which is one embodiment may be made from a plastics material such as HDPE, but could be made of other suitable materials including metals such as aluminium) having an open top. The system includes means, described below, for creating and maintaining a partial

vacuum/f educed pressure in the interior volume 4 of the mount. A hose 5 extends from one frame to the othe to maintain pressure parity inside the two mounts 3.

[0034] A vacuum relief valve 6 and a .manually operated valve 14 are connected to the hose, as is a visual vacuum indicator 11 which provide an indication of the reduced

pressure/ vacuum in the mounts 3.

[0035] With reference to Figure 2, it can be seen that the rider's boots are attached to base plate 9, by suitable fasteners 30 such as bolts or screws. The underside of the plate is stepped along each edge to define a portion 32 which is sized and shaped to fit inside the frame 18 and may also define a tread 10 so that the rider can walk on the plate more safely, A flexible seal 15 * typically made from rubber or another dastomeric material, is mounted around the perimeter of the frame. As shown in Figure 2, the seal 15 forms a seat around the underside of the plate and the frame 18.

[0036] The frame 18 is mounted to the wakeboard. by means of integral lugs 8 which may attach to preformed holes in the wakeboard by means of fasteners 34 and inserts 21. A seal 19 extends around the frame between, the base of the frame and the board. However, in other embodiments, it is envisaged that the frame could be separate from the wakeboard and held i place by vacuum reduced pressure. Even if the frame is mounted to the board 1 using bolts, in use, the vacuum, will assist in maintaining the: connection with the board and will reduce loading via the fasteners.

[0037] in a yet further variant, the frame could be fixed to the underside of the rider boot, rather than the board, however this would have the disadvantage that it might inhibit the rider form walking around on the boot when not attached to the wakeboard. In this case the boot would attach by vacuum to any suitable board.

[0038] in use, it is first necessary to create a reduced pressure/vacuum, in the mounts 3, There are a number of options for doing this from using a base station providing a vacuum pump, to the rider creating their own partial vacuum. [0039] A person riding a wakeboard behind a boat cannot easily apply downward pressure to attach to the wakeboard while floating in water. So in one embodiment (illustrated in Figure 5) it is envisaged that a handle 2 will be provided on the board against which the rider can pull so that the rider can press with their feet, to create a seal. In a preferred embodiment, if the handle were attached to a diaphragm pum 22, the rider could create the vacuum in one action,

[0040] In the ease of a snowboarder, it is envisaged that a seal could be created by the rider standing on his board and applying downward pressure and a pump 24 attached to the boot

(illustrated in figure 6) could be used for creating a sufficient vacuum.

[0041 j The partial vacuum needs to be maintained. During use, there will be leaks and. eventually the vacuum will reduce and pressure will equalise and the board and. boots will separate. This is undesirable and a number of features are provided to prevent accidental separation.

[0042] The visual vacuum indicator 11 provides- a readily understandable indication of whether there is a sufficient vacuum and is green when there is sufficient vacuum and changes to red when the vacuum is low and needs replenishing. Other indicator displays are envisaged,

[0043] In an alternative embodiment, shown in Figure 7a, a chamber 12 could be provided, which is separate to the mounts 3 which is connected to the interior 4 of the mount via a valve 7 that closes once a set pressure equivalent to the minimum holding force required to maintain the connection between the boots and the mount is reached.

[0044] In a yet further embodiment, the kinetic energy of movement of the rider could be u sed to "top up" the vacuum. Various types of pumps could be provided and if these reduced pressure sufficiently to counter any leakage, that would enable a rider to ride indefinitely.

[0045] For water sports, where a flow of water is present under the ' board-, some of the flow of water could be directed through an aspirator 13a (venturi pump) provided on the underside of the board. This is illustrated schematically in Figure 7a and shown in more detail in Figure 7b, The venturi pump 13a could be integrated into the board during manufacture or retro fitted- Figure 7b schematically illustrates a venturi pum formed in the wakeboard 1 having a large water inlet 25 covered with a filter 25a, a nozzle 27, venturi 28 and a water outlet 26, the pump being connected to the interior 4 of the mount via a tube 36

[0046] Alternatively, a pump 13b could be .integrated into the mounts 3, as illustrated in Figure 8, arranged so that downwards forces drives the pump creating a partial vacuum. This would also have the beneficial effect of dampening the rider's movement and increasing comfort, An exemplary pneumatic circuit for such a system is shown in figure 9b> with 13b representing an integrated pad/pump which can. for example be operated by the rider' s foot pressing onto it, and 7 representing a vacuum maintenance means.

[0047 J 111 a yet f rther variant a pump could be integrated, into the board, that works when the board itself flexes.

[0048] ' The vacuum needs to be released to separate: the rider from the board. When the rider is finished and wishes to step of the board, the can simpl operate the manual release valve 14,

[0049] The board needs to separate from the rider when the rider has crashed, or is in the process of crashing. There are a number of different forces acting on the board in such circumstances, including, tension forces, shear forces and torsion forces. Figures 3a

illustrates the seal when there is no load on it. Figure 3b illustrates the effect of a tensile force T which tends to pull the plate away from the mount 3 stretchin the seal 15, Figure 3c illustrates the effect of a shear force S on the seal .

[0050] In order to release the partial vacuum and equalise the pressure to release the hoot from the mount, the . seal may include one or more ports 20 shown in Figures 4a to- 4d, although the ports 20 may also be omitted. Figures 4b and 4d illustrate that under torsion and/or tensile and /or shear forces, the seal 15 is pulled away from the frame which exposes/opens the port equalising the pressure- inside- the frame 18 with atmospheric pressure and releasing the plate and boot from the wakeboard. The release of the rider's other boot: occur almost simul taneousl as the mounts 3 are linked by the tube 5. [0051 j To iirnit the forces, it is desirable t limit the strength of the partial vacuum and to be able to adjust the partial vacuum to account for different .risks, (such as. learning new tricks and for beginners where a release at low level forces would be desirable) and to account fo the weight of the rider.

[0052] Where the seals 15 are flexible, a tensile load or torsion or shear load will tend to increase the volume of the chamber 4 (refer to figure 3b) thus reducing the pressure and increasing the partial vacuum. The vacuum relief valve opens if the partial vacuum exceeds a pre- set value. Using a system dependent on the pressure obviates the requirement for the ports 20.

[0053] The system has few parts and the pumps and valves can be protected by filters. The connection points can be wiped off to remove .dirt and ice or snow, in the case of snowboards.

[00343 Figures 9a to 9c show exemplary pneumatic circuits for the system with Figure 9a showing a simple system having two vacuums linked by tubing 5 and a control/check valve 1.6. Figure 9c shows a more complex circuit in which item 13 references a vacuum maintenance pump.

[0055 ] Figures 10 to 18 show a further embodiment of a mount for a wakeboard (not shown). The Figures show a boot 102 and a mount 104 in which the boot engages.

[0056] Figures 10 to 13b show the combination of boot and mount. Figures 14 to 16 show the mount 104 only. Figures 17 and 18 show the boot 102.

[0057] The boot .102 has sole 106 in the form of a lower plate to which a body portion 108 which receives a foot is secured. The body portion, which covers the top and sides of the foot, is shown in part only, as designs for such wakeboard boots are well known. The lower plate, defines a planar upper surface and a contoured underside 1.10, best seen in Figures 17 and 18.

[0058] As is best seen in Figures .13a, 17 and 18. the underside 110 defines front 112 and rear 114 depending portions. The front portion 112 is solid. The rear portion 114 is defined by an outer depending rib/wall 116 which extends around a perimeter under the heel area of the boot so that the footprint of the rear/heel portion is annular, defining a recess 117 surrounded by the wall. An aperture .1 .18 is defined in. a rear wall of the wall. 1 16 which receives and is closed b a one wa valve; shown sche atically at .1 18a in Figure 18, which allows air to travel from inside the perimeter wall 11.6 to the outside only. The opposite wall of the rib 1 16 also defines an. aperture 120 which again is closed by a one way valve shown schematically at 120a in Figure 18, which, in use, allows air to travel into the recess 117 from the area of the mount under the front of the boot. On the underside of the boot, a shallow rib 1.22 runs around the extreme edge of the plate 106 which, as is described in more detail below, engages with a fee end. of a seal.

[0059] Figures 14 to 16 show the mount 104 which receives -the- boot This comprises a generally foot shaped annular ring .130 which has two lugs/flanges 132 extendin either side of the ring which define, arcuate slots 134 for fixing the mount to the board. An elastomeric seal, 136 (best seen in Figures 15 and 16) extends around the base of the mount, for ensuring that the mount is fitted to the board in an airtight manner, (since wakeboard and snowboards and the Like, ar not always smooth and flat).

[0060] A plate 140 extends across th middle of the mount underneath the middle of the boot in use, and between the front and heel area of the boot As can best be seen in Figure 13b, the plate locates between the front 112 and rear 114 portions of tire plate 106.

Underneath the heel area there is a foam block 150 test seen in Figures 15 and .16.

[006.1] A seal 160 for sealing to the underside/sole of the boot extends around the annular ring 130 and in use, as is best seen In Figure 1.3a defines a flexible angled portion the free end 152 of which engages with the shallow ribs 122 which runs around the edge of the plate .106.

[0062] In use, the underside of the boot 102 seals to the mount 104. When the boot is pushed down into the mount the foam block. 150 i compressed by the depending wall 116 of the plate. This forces air out of the recess 117 through the aperture 1. IS/one way valve to atmosphere reducing the pressure in the mount. Air i also sucked into the recess 1 17 from the front, part of the mount. When the mount is in use and downward pressure is applied to the rider's heel , the combination of the recess and the foam, block - that part of the mount under th rider' s heel acts as a vacuum storage chamber 1..17. The user may bounce their feet to generate a partial vacuum and the same bouncing that occurs as a natural part of riding such as bouncing over uneven surfaces, landing a jump and the like maintains the reduced pressure in the mount hy drawing air into the chamber 117 from the rest of the mount and expelling it to atmosphere through the valve 1 8a. This is convenient as the user only need , to keep using the equipment to maintain the partial vacuum. Advantageously, the pump/foam block also acts as a shock absorber. Clearly similar effects could be obtained using the mount for snowboarding.

[0063] The mount may be used with the other elements of the systems (pressure relief valve, connecting hose etc. as described in relation to the previous embodiments). It will also he appreciated that while the mount 104 includes a vacuum pump, the system may be used with additional pumps.

[0064] Although the above descriptions mainly refer to wakeboards it will be appreciated that the principles of the invention may also be applied to snowboards, skis and. similar devices, where a user's foot has to be releasabiy connected with a board or piece of equipment, such as leisure or sporting equipment.

[0065] It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modification may be made to the above-described embodi-ments, without departing from the broad general scope of the present disclosure. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not .restrictive.